All The Gear . . .

John loves his new gloves so much he wants to wear them all the time. Here he wears them for a game of Uno.

A walk in the park. . .

John and Emmalee enjoy a day at Holliday park

One night in Bangkok . . . Er I mean Ohio.

One campground is very like another when your head's down over your pieces, brother.

Queen to queen's level three . . .

Why do they play chess in their swim suits? Because they were on their way to the pool when they spied the irresistable, enormous chess set.

Pedal Power

John and Emmalee try out the pedal cars at the campground. That looks like fun. I want one.

Big Time Chess Game

John and Emmalee spotted the giant chess board on the way to the swimming pool.

Lake Louie

Record rainfall turns the new house into lake front property.

Vacation has begun

Camper is parked. Marshmallows are roasting. Lights are strung. Ahh, good.

Our son, the Loophole King

In the name of gaining traction, here he is obeying the bounce house rules and "wearing socks".

Shrek Head

Don't ask.

Daddy Daughter Date Night

The so-called medium popcorn was bigger than my daughter's head.

Toad Catcher

John is careful never to hold them too tightly, or let them jump from his hand from too great a height. He has a knack for spotting them, and for catching them. And he has a genuine fascination with them. He was careful to let it go near where he found it.

The cure for Nature Deficit Disorder

My son in his element. He came alive when he saw the trails and fields of native grasses and wild flowers.

Objective . . . Collect one specimen of each species we find.

Thome thort of thistle

Happy Kid

Must be a biologist at heart.

Relaxing a bit after the botanical expedition.

Grey day everything is grey. . .

i watch but nothing moves today.

When the sun goes down. . .

Sun Set

Like the sun through the trees you came to love me. Like a leaf on the breeze you blew away.

Close Game!

Emmalee defeats me in a killer game of Trouble.

The Heavy - How You Like Me Now?

The Heavy's original video. I like it. I wouldn't have heard of them if it weren't for the Kia Sorento commercial.

Kia's 2010 big game commercial

There's a flag pole rag and the wind won't stop . . .

That's my soul up there.

MIranda Lambert - House that Built Me, ACMs 2010

Mike Pinder founder of the of Moody Blues chats at the West Coast songwr...

Trouble Ahead, Trouble Behind

I took this photo while I was stopped, so no one give me any grief about texting/messaging while driving.  The storm showed clearly in the rear view mirror.

The Hand Of God

His hand moves, perceptibly, above the milling crowds of commuters, and most think only of getting home.

Storm Clouds

And the storm rushes in...

My boy. . .

My number one son begs for his turn to be pushed on the great swing beneath the maple tree. Shoes are of course optional.

Mum's bookshelf

Just a random glimpse of one of my mom's many bookshelves.

Crossing That Bridge

Pushing rocks from the bridge into the creek below provided plenty of entertainment for John and Emmalee.

For my part, I always enjoy the view from the bridge, and the fact that there is no house at all visible from the public road. It is cut off, completely, from civilization, and in tune, completely, with nature.

Clouds rolling in . . .

The forecast called for rain all day . Most of the day was cloudy, but with no chill in the air. As I stood at the bridge, I photographed the clouds rolling in.

The place

Hundreds of photos were taken, but no photo can capture the essence of a place, anymore than a breath can be the essence of a man, a glass of water the essence of a lake.

A Piece of my soul . . .

Fly Me To The Moon

Fly me to the moon

Saw this photo and thought I'd share it.

Toes

Toes, and reflections of toes, at the gymnasium on Saturday. Emmalee begged me to take a picture of this odd reflection. Taekwondo competitors are all barefoot.

Taekwondo Medalist

Emmalee celebrates her silver medal at her first ever Taekwondo competition.

She won silver in the "form" competition, and turned around and won gold in the "breaking" competition.

Papa is so proud!

The windows of the cheap dirty little cafe

The windows of the cheap dirty little cafe where i have my lunch by myself sometimes...

At least It's cheap.

Kayakers

Kayaking

Emmalee and John enjoy kayaking at the lake.

T

Bike Lunch

Carolyn and I rode our bikes to meet for lunch one day last week. Though sunny, it was far from warm.

A Gray Day at the Monument

Emmalee exults having climbed one of the walls at the base of the monument.

John scales the wall.

My kids are climbing the walls. Which is why i like to get them out of the house.

Monkey Boy

There is not a wall he wouldn't climb . . .

Playing chess with my kids

The white knights take a break and let the 'little ponies' fight the battle this time.

First Flower of Spring

The wonder of flowers to be covered and then to burst up . . . . to the sun again.